Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A female Sumatran tiger named Si Manis died at Medan Zoo on Friday, September 20. Her death adds to a growing list of tiger fatalities at Medan Zoo in less than a year, raising concerns about the facility’s ability to care for these critically endangered animals.
Si Manis, who was 23 years old, died due to age-related health issues that left her vulnerable to organ diseases, including liver, heart, and kidney complications. According to a necropsy report, fluid-filled lumps were found on her liver, along with fatty tissue thickening around her heart and other organs.
The head of the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) stated that Si Manis had outlived the typical lifespan of a Sumatran tiger in the wild, which is around 15-17 years.
The tiger had been showing signs of deteriorating health since May 2024. Her condition continued to decline over the following months until her death in September. Si Manis had been a resident of Medan Zoo since 2005, where she spent nearly two decades in captivity.
Sumatran Tiger Deaths at Medan Zoo
Si Manis’ death is the fourth Sumatran tiger to die at Medan Zoo between November 2023 and September 2024, sparking concern over the welfare of the zoo’s tiger population.
- Erha, an 11-year-old male Sumatran Tiger, died on November 3, 2023, after refusing to eat and falling ill.
- Nurhaliza, also known as Putri, female Sumatran Tiger died on December 31, 2023, due to pneumonia and renal disease, conditions reportedly linked to an inadequate, damp, and damaged enclosure.
- Bintang Sorik, a 13-year-old male Sumatran Tiger, passed away on February 13, 2024, after suffering from organ failure, including damage to his lungs, liver, heart, and kidneys.
With Si Manis’ passing, Medan Zoo now has only two Sumatran tigers remaining.
Ongoing Conservation Challenges
The death of a Sumatran tiger at Medan Zoo has raised concerns about the zoo’s efforts to conserve the tigers. As the zoo has tried to improve conditions in its enclosures and animal care, these efforts have been hampered by limited funding and resources.
Sumatran Tiger in the Face of Extinction
Conservationists argue that better habitat management and medical care are urgently needed for captive tigers, as zoos play a critical role in the species’ survival amid dwindling populations in the wild.
The Sumatran tiger is critically endangered, with fewer than 600 individuals left in the wild. The deaths of captive tigers like Si Manis and her counterparts at Medan Zoo underscore the challenges of ensuring their survival, even in controlled environments.
As more tigers succumb to health issues in captivity, zoos and conservationists are called to prioritize the well-being of these majestic animals through improved care, adequate enclosures, and stricter oversight to ensure that every remaining tiger, whether in the wild or captivity, is given the chance to thrive.
(Raidi/Agung)
